Adobe has decided to put Photoshop online for free. Adobe plans to generate revenue from online advertising (like GMail) though the web based version of Photoshop will not be as sophisticated (or complex) as the desktop application.
There's absolutely no mention about the features that one might expect in Online Photoshop but the brand value associated with Photoshop software alone will make this a Youtube of Online Image Editors.
Most of us use these online photo editing software only for cropping or resizing or rotating images. The online version of Adobe Photoshop will be a scaled down version of Photoshop Elements which itself is a poor cousin of the Photoshop suite.
Who needs another basic photo editor ? Instead, Adobe should offer a portable light-weight version of Photoshop for free that requires no installation or internet activation, is no memory-hog and can run off your USB Memory Stick. This will gain them more prospective customers and a serious chance to compete with Google Picasa.
Update: John Dowdell has the actual excerpt from Bruce Chizen's interview:
There are a lot of online photo editors, so we want it to be deserving of the Photoshop brand. We want it to be a good app. I'd be shocked if we didn't have something in the next three to six months. It would surprise me.Now does this signal that hosted Photoshop will be richer than the $99 Photoshop Elements version ?
What's surprising is that Photoshop Elements, at $99, is a significant revenue producer for Adobe. Even though you can get Picasa for free, people still want a full-featured product. Not as fully featured as Photoshop, but something in between.
Reader Comments
Dude, please get an English language editor.
Please.
Readers will value your blog more if your professionalism is reflected in the quality of your writing, not just the substance.
Please.
Written on 1/3/07 10:18 PM
Well, first of all, i do care more about the substance.
Second, i'm glad that Adobe made this step, but i believe it's kind of too late (they should rather do that before releasing they’re first picture editing commercial software). This is why Google is so much different.
To answer "whether you really need a sophisticated online photo editing software", i can only say... no.
This means that I totally agree with your conclusion.
Written on 2/3/07 12:47 AM
If you just need a software for cropping/resizing or rotating, there is absolutely no need for such a advanced software. There are hundreds of other alternatives like MS PowerToys , Irfan View, FastStone or even Picasa which can do some basic correction too. All of these are free ware. There's even GIMP which can match if not better photoshop. Stop begging for a free version. I agree its overpriced but then it's for professionals only.
Written on 2/3/07 11:41 PM
I don't think it's a bad idea at all and could come in handy for many of those people who cannot afford the desktop suite or don't have the time at home or at work...
As far as your writing it suffices...No qualms here...
Written on 2/3/07 11:47 PM
"Adobe should offer a free-portable version of Photoshop for free that requires no installation or internet activation, is no memory-hog and can run off your USB Memory Stick."
Hi Amit, the "living out of a thumb drive" style of computing is something I've been tracking for awhile (mainly from reading blogs of various computer users in Asia), but you're the first person I've heard specifically requesting it for Photoshop.
Could you give me some context on what makes this an important improvement for you? Any anecdotes which could help others visualize the need? Thanks!
jd/adobe
Written on 3/3/07 8:44 AM
Ok, Adobe online photo editor...Great idea, five years ago, maybe. Changing gears- mandatory registration of online newspapers? I think NOT. When I come across a news story or needed information that requires me to register, I don't have time or want the intrusion. Just google it again or "Fageta bout it".
Written on 3/3/07 6:45 PM
jd - the initial reports suggest that Photoshop Online edition will have lesser features than even Photoshop Elements.
So if the web app provides the basic photo editing tools, what is the real advantage over the existing tools in the market like Picnic, PXN8 and others?
If Adobe really wants to spread the use of Photoshop (especially in developing countries like India where piracy is high and most users are on slow internet connections) - users prefer to have a standalone app that runs with minimal effort.
Like they download the file photoshop.exe from Adobe servers, place it on their desktops and double click it to edit their photos. If they get addicted or need the advanced features, they can always upgrade to the Elements version or the upcoming Photoshop CS3.
The current impression is that Photoshop requires tons of RAM and a fast computer to operate smoothly - that impression may change and more prospective customers will be willing to experiment if they get a chance to try some light-weight version of Photoshop.
An online edition is a good initiative but when people are behind slow connection or don't have internet on all their computers, it won't really spread the message so far.
Thanks for your comment.
Written on 5/3/07 9:35 PM